Gabon: Ophir’s Padouck well proves dry

Operator Ophir Energy has announced that the Padouck Deep-1 well on the Ntsina Block found only minor hydrocarbon shows. Ophir said the key pre-drill risk was seal and trap integrity, and the lack of the anticipated thin salt drape over the prospect and the lack of sealing shales within the targeted reservoirs appeared to be behind the well’s failure. The Vantage Titanium Explorer rig will now move to the Gnondo Block to drill the Affanga Deep prospect, to be followed by the Okala pre-salt prospect on the Mbeli Block.